Unforgettable travel experiences to book now
From fresh hotel openings to off-the-beaten-path gems and clever kit that makes every trip smoother, here are ten standout ideas to spark your wanderlust.
Savour grown-up elegance on Crete's golden shore
Atlantica Kalliston Resort stretches out along the golden crescent of Agioi Apostoloi Beach like a love letter to the Mediterranean lifestyle.
This adults-only haven blends cool coastal minimalism with just the right measure of grown-up indulgence, brilliantly backdropped by the exquisite blue of the Cretan Sea. Days here tend to drift between poolside lounging, soul-soothing spa rituals and long, languid lunches that segue into seaview sundowners.
If you can tear yourself away, the postcard-perfect harbour of Chania is just up the coast, with its irresistible maze of Venetian laneways, candlelit tavernas and chatty wine bars. Romantic, refined, and made for just you and that special someone.
Make it a date
Move farther, faster with the latest in wearable tech
For those who love to roam, hike or explore off-grid, the Hypershell X is a game-changer.
The world's first outdoor exoskeleton, this sleek, AI-powered exoskeleton supports your natural stride, boosting leg strength by up to 40% while reducing exertion. Whether you're trail-walking, mountaineering or cycling, it adapts in real time to your movements, making steep climbs feel smooth and carrying packs less fatiguing.
The Hypershell X folds for easy transport and runs up to 17.5km per battery. It's rugged, dust- and water-resistant, and thoughtfully designed for everyday adventurers, not just elite athletes. Whether you're chasing views in the Dolomites or getting back to movement after a long break, this is wearable tech that puts a spring in your step. From $999 (£730).
Fancy levelling up your family holiday? Forte Village is where you need to be.
Set amid 120 lush acres on Sardinia's unspoiled southern coast, this one-of-a-kind resort pairs tropical beauty with serious fun. Younger guests can explore the Children's Wonderland (complete with a mini town square, circus and water park), while teens can take the fast lane at Leisureland with go-karting, bowling and a disco.
Sporting dreams take flight via over 20 academies, from Real Madrid football clinics to fencing with Valentina Vezzali. Nature-lovers can meet native animals in the new park and aviary, while grown-ups recharge in the award-winning Acquaforte Spa or unwind at one of more than 20 restaurants.
Sun, sea, stillness and all the thrills and spills in between.
Enjoy 10% off plus exclusive benefits included in your stay with code FVSUMMERESCAPE at fortevillageresort.com. Offer valid until 31 October 2025.
If Bali's Canggu is the island's cool coastal heart, then Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu is perfectly placed to experience its rhythm.
Just moments from Batu Bolong Beach, this contemporary resort combines ocean views with effortless comfort. Couples will find plenty to love here, and there's just as much for solo travellers, groups and families: from Balinese craft workshops and local flavours at Roomah Restaurant to surf breaks, beach clubs and wellness sessions just a stroll away. Families are welcome (kids stay, and eat, free).
Start your day with rooftop yoga, then dip into the infinity pool as the Indian Ocean glitters below. Book now and discover what makes Canggu so utterly unforgettable.
To really know Egypt, you need to see more than the pyramids. Four Seasons invites you to discover the country's many moods, from Nile-side opulence in Cairo to the reefs and deserts of Sharm El Sheikh, or the sun-kissed Mediterranean elegance of Alexandria.
Kick off with rooftop cocktails and museum-hopping in Cairo, where the Grand Egyptian Museum reveals the wonders of ancient kings. Then dive into the Red Sea's coral-rich waters or roam the desert dunes by camel. In Alexandria, explore Greco-Roman ruins and sip coffee by the seafront corniche.
Wherever you go, Four Seasons brings refined comfort, warm service and a front-row seat to Egypt's living history. With up to 20% off stays, your epic journey begins here.
A lakeside retreat. A cabin in the woods.
A couple's campervan adventure under starlit skies. Wherever you wander, the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 makes sure the lights stay on – and the moment stays magical. This compact, high-capacity power station delivers 1.07kWh of clean, reliable energy, enough for your mini-fridge, lighting, cameras, laptops – even a coffee machine.
It's compatible with solar panels, built from durable, fire-safe LiFePO4 cells, and comes with a suite of ports (USB-A, USB-C, AC and 12V) to cover all bases. Whether you're a remote-working duo or simply like your wilderness with a few home comforts, Jackery's tech makes unplugging effortless — without ever going dark.
Stay stylish in a world-renowned hotel
Tbilisi, Georgia, is fast becoming one of Europe's most compelling capitals, and The Telegraph Hotel — a vision brought to life by Silk Road Group founder and chairman George Ramishvili — is where its past and future converge.
Housed in the city's former post and telegraph building, this glamorously restored five-star standout blends Soviet-era drama with modern elegance, right on Rustaveli Avenue.
Inside, you'll find more than just chic rooms: there's a jazz club, a Rolling Stones rooftop bar, a wine library and five dining spots, including Georgia's refined Thai restaurant, created by Rose Chalali Singh.
As a proud member of Leading Hotels of the World, The Telegraph Hotel is a hub for local and international creatives, the perfect base for culture-loving couples. Whether unwinding after a gallery visit or dressing up for dinner at Grand Café, this is Georgian hospitality at its boldest.
If your soul craves calm, connection and creativity, this women-only summer camp in Provence might be your most nourishing week yet.
Hosted in a historic family château of Provençal counts, Camp Joli offers a gentle rhythm of morning yoga, candlelit dinners and meaningful conversation under the stars.
Days are yours to shape: ride horseback through the lavender fields, try candle-making or watercolour painting in the French garden, or simply read in the shade with a glass of rosé. Excursions to village markets and al fresco meals prepared by a private chef deepen the sense of indulgence. It's part retreat, part celebration — and entirely up to you.
Granada Luxury Hotels offers four distinctive escapes along the sun-drenched Turkish Riviera, each designed to delight a different kind of traveller.
In Belek, expect five-star sophistication near world-class golf and golden beaches. Families will adore Belek, with its waterslides, pools and sandy beaches. Okurcalar offers a blend of modern design and refined comfort. Granada Luxury Beach at Avsallar blends sleek design with beachfront lounging and late-night sparkle, plus waterslides for added fun.
For a more serene, adults-only experience, Granada Luxury Red +16 offers an exclusive retreat. Whichever you choose, expect bold architecture, all-inclusive dining, and thoughtful service that elevates every moment. Interiors are vibrant and theatrical, while landscaped grounds and lavish pools provide a true sense of occasion.
From romantic escapes to high-energy family breaks, Granada invites you to discover your dream Turkish getaway — with all the luxury, and none of the stress.
Breathe deep in Lapland's real life winter wonderland
Western Lapland is at its most magical in winter.
And Harriniva Hotels & Safaris's trio of wilderness resorts place you right in the heart of it. Situated in Western Lapland in Finland, these soulful stays blend warm Finnish hospitality with soul-stirring Arctic landscapes.
By day, race huskies through snow-draped forests, meet reindeer herders or learn to drive a snowmobile. By night, soak in your private sauna or gaze at the Northern Lights through floor-to-ceiling windows in an Arctic Glass Suite.
Set near Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, Harriniva Hotels & Safaris offers guided adventures, full-board packages and a deep sense of place, whether you visit at Christmas or in the glow of polar spring in April or May. Slow down, suit up and see what winter really means.
For a holiday that feels both effortless and deeply rooted, Simply Aquitaine provides a curated collection of elegant homes across southwest France.
Expect characterful chateaux, beautiful manors, restored farmhouses and charming townhouses set among the sunflower fields of the Dordogne, the vineyards of Gascony and the rolling hills of Lot-et-Garonne. Every property is handpicked for charm, comfort and authenticity, with thoughtful extras like private pools, in-house chefs and concierge-style services.
Whether you're planning a romantic wedding, a multigenerational family holiday or a countryside escape, you'll deal directly with local owners, supported by a team who truly know the region. It's a seamless and unforgettable way to experience rural France at its most memorable.
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Times
an hour ago
- Times
Lovers, lunatics and 80,000 meatballs: adventures on sleeper trains
Film buffs will know night trains as vehicles of love, lust and mystery. Consider Cary Grant top-bunking with Eva Marie Saint in North by Northwest. Or Marilyn Monroe getting jiggy with a ukulele during an onboard pyjama party in Some Like It Hot. Silver screen sleepers are steamy stuff. However, those who have taken the Great Western Railway sleeper from Paddington to Penzance will also know that a night train can be as sexy as a Travelodge on a wet Wednesday in February. In Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train, the travel writer Monisha Rajesh eloquently and amusingly combines the fact and fiction, the cocktail hours and backed-up loos, the charming ticket inspectors and deranged fellow travellers, as she enjoys — and endures — 18 journeys spanning four continents. Rajesh surveys a form of travel that many might have considered obsolete. However, she explains, the night train has risen from its slumbers. After the Covid lockdowns 'many people were nervous to fly, booking private compartments and taking the time to explore closer to home', she writes. 'In 2022, Interrail had a record year of sales — and then I saw it, one line at a time, sleeper trains inching back out of the darkness.' Rajesh zips through moonlit mountain passes in Scandinavia and South America and takes city links in North America, Asia and Europe, routes that vary in quality, comfort and distance. On a press jolly on board the deluxe Belmond Andean Explorer to Arequipa, she enjoys pisco sours with a former Miss Peru and beds down on plush banquettes; in Turkey, she gets caught up in the maelstrom of the 2023 earthquake; and in the north of Norway, whistling through the land of the midnight sun, she enjoys a night train without night. She soon discovers that sleeping arrangements rarely fail to disappoint — her 'first-class' compartment on the Shalimar Express across the north of India 'looked like it had been repurposed from a scrapyard'. Sometimes the accommodation is simply surreal: the new Vienna-Hamburg Nightjet service provides a morgue-style row of single-berth wooden lockers into which passengers slot and lock. 'It's like sleeping in a bread bin,' her travelling companion observes. • 22 of the best rail journeys in Europe — your carriages await While compartments, couchettes — dorm-rooms of bunk beds — or reclining seats provide rest, the beating heart of a night train is its dining car. The meals are often geographical signifiers: there's 'sweaty gravlax' in Sweden and Angus beef and whisky on the Royal Scotsman. But these trains are not for fussy eaters, Rajesh writes. 'I'd once spent five days on the Trans-Mongolian eating onlyinstant mash and noodles.' Meanwhile, dining cars provide delicious opportunities for eavesdropping. 'Do you think people shag on these trains,' a woman whispers to her husband on the Caledonian Sleeper. 'I have,' a passenger at the next table interjects. 'The very last empty coach … we just got down to it.' Since publishing Around the World in 80 Trains (2019), Rajesh has become a mother, which affords her considerable empathy for those dealing with sleepy, grumpy and hungry children as they clamber on board with the paraphernalia of parenthood. Sometimes her young daughters come along for the ride (confectionery and nappies required). Rajesh is an endearing railway junkie — a German passenger calls her a 'Pufferküsser' — who has authored two previous anthologies of railway journeys. But there is something about the nocturnal quality of these trips that covers new, almost philosophical, terrain. At night everything is heightened, both the romantic — sunsets, cosy spaces, suggestive rhythmic motion — and the gripes that come with being cooped up with a bunch of strangers. The sound of a train in the night suggests secrets: while cities, towns and villages sleep there is activity under way. Not all of it good. Rajesh touches on their sinister possibilities when she stops off in Brussels to meet Simon Gronowski, a nonagenarian Holocaust survivor. On a spring night in 1943, Simon's mother lowered her 11-year-old son on to the tracks from a moving cattle truck as it coursed through the darkness on its way to Auschwitz. The Nazis used the night-time to cover their crimes. Simon survived; his mother perished. • Read more book reviews and interviews — and see what's top of the Sunday Times Bestsellers List The renaissance of the night train is driven by economic, environmental and social factors, all largely positive. However, as Rajesh explains in this hugely entertaining book, a night train is only as good as the people on board. Speeding to Lapland on the Santa Claus Express, impeccably polite Finnish attendants serve up meatballs (about 80,000 portions a year) and patiently look after hordes of over-excited children. It 'fulfilled my every dream', Rajesh concludes. Compare that with the author's early morning experience between Washington DC and New York on Amtrak's Silver Meteor, a train summed up as a 'magnet for the unhinged'. Watching the sun rise over the Potomac River, Rajesh recalls: 'I crouched by the window to photograph the moment, just as a man in a sweatshirt tapped me on the shoulder and moved me to one side so he could vomit into the recycling bin.' Cary Grant would have been appalled. Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train by Monisha Rajesh (Bloomsbury £22 pp336). To order a copy go to Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Save 25% on your Railcard with our TrainPal discount code
It's no secret that train travel can be pricey, but TrainPal helps keep costs down with competitive fares from all major rail operators, including Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway, LNER and even Eurostar. Alongside handy features such as split ticketing and a best price guarantee, the platform regularly offers extra ways to save including flash sales and promo codes. Right now, until 11.59pm on 31 December 2025, The Independent's readers can enjoy an exclusive TrainPal discount on Railcards and train tickets. New customers can get up to 25 per cent off, while existing customers can save up to 10 per cent. Keep reading for all you need to know. How to save 25 per cent on a new Railcard By using a Railcard, you can save up to a third on train travel. If this is your first time booking with TrainPal, you can take advantage of a generous 25 per cent discount on a new Railcard by using the code ' INDY25 ' at checkout. That means you can get a one year family and friends Railcard for £26.25, instead of £35, or the three year family and friends Railcard for £60, instead of £80. There are nine Railcards to choose from, including a 16-25, 26-30, senior, two together and network Railcard, so the chances are high that you'll find one to suit you. You will need to create an account to use the discount code and activate your Railcard within 30 days by applying it to a TrainPal ticket purchase. Our exclusive offer doesn't stop at Railcards. If you're a new TrainPal customer, you can also get £5 off train tickets with the discount code – perfect if you're squeezing in a last minute summer getaway or planning ahead to autumn. The savings apply to all UK routes, including airport stations such as Birmingham International, London Gatwick and Stansted. You can even use it on longer routes, such as a London to Edinburgh return during the Fringe Festival. Just copy and paste the same ' INDY25 ' discount code on the booking confirmation page. How to save as an existing customer There's no need to worry if you're already a TrainPal customer, as you can still enjoy a 10 per cent Railcard discount using the same ' INDY25 ' code at checkout. That means instead of the full price of £35, you can get a one-year Railcard for £31.50. You can also use the code for a two per cent saving on train tickets booked before 31 December 2025. How to redeem your exclusive TrainPal promo code Copy the code ' INDY25 ' and head to the TrainPal app or website to start your booking or Railcard purchase. If you're a new customer, you'll need to create a TrainPal account to use the discount code. For Railcard purchases, you will find a 'Promotions' section at the bottom of the first page of the checkout. Simply paste your TrainPal Railcard promo code into the designated box and hit the 'Redeem' button. For rail ticket purchases, once you have selected the journey and time you want to book, continue to the booking confirmation page. When you reach the passenger information page, you will see a 'Promotions' section at the bottom where you can paste your voucher code and redeem it. Our top tips to get cheap train tickets As well as applying a TrainPal voucher code to your booking, there are plenty more ways to reduce the cost of your train tickets. Here are a few easy ways to save: Split tickets – Break your journey into multiple tickets rather than buying one through fare. TrainPal does the hard work for you and works out split tickets automatically, often saving you up to 30 per cent. Book in advance – Train companies usually release their cheapest fares up to 12 weeks before departure. The earlier you book, the more you could save. Travel off-peak – Off-peak and super off-peak tickets are often significantly cheaper than travelling during rush hour. Season tickets – If you make the same journey regularly, a weekly, monthly or annual season ticket can offer great value compared to buying single journey tickets. TrainPal has a handy season ticket calculator that will help you decide if it's worth investing. Group travel –If you're travelling in a group of between three to nine people, it's worth looking at TrainPal's group save option, which can save each each member a third.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
A (bath)room with a view: Inside the Lana Dorchester Collection hotel which offers an understated elegance and breath-taking vistas for those in search of the 'anti-bling' Dubai
Dubai has long been synonymous with a flashy opulence that attracts a 'nouveau riche' crowd who want to holiday in the latest 'it' hotel and be seen dining in the newest restaurant. But for those who would rather shy away from that scene, The Lana Dorchester Collection offers different kind of luxury - sleek, refined, and purposefully restrained. In a city famed for pushing the boundaries of architectural spectacle and gilded extravagance, The Lana is something a little different. The 5-star hotel's 30-storey silhouette rises above the vibrant Business Bay district. Its clean lines and shimmering facade present a sharp contrast to the city's more ostentatious landmarks. Its rooftop infinity pool is a calm oasis with 180 degree views of Downtown Dubai, and flanked with white cushioned sunbeds. There are many signs of a good hotel: one is that your feet don't burn on its tiling in the afternoon sun. The Lana manages that with aplomb. Just don't ask me how! Just beside it is the popular High Society bar which attracts a crowd of couples and business travellers. From its vantage point overlooking Marasi Marina, the rooftop offers uninterrupted vistas of speedboats skimming the water and the Burj Khalifa looming in the distance. It's the perfect spot from which to sip on a cool cocktail, brought to you by the hotel's very cool staff Inside the hotel lies an expanse of cool creamy marble, walnut trimmings and elegant neutral furnishings topped off with huge floral displays, a theme that continues into the bedrooms. We stayed in a junior suite which came furnished with a vast bed, floor-to-ceiling windows, small lounge area and a private balcony. But the standout feature - which the hotel staff described as 'the influencer's favourite' - was the deep soak free-standing bathtub positioned directly in front of the window and with an uninterrupted view of the glittering marina. . Slipping into its bubbly warmth was heaven. I can't think of a better way to relax after an evening desert safari (highly recommended!). The hotel is also rightfully proud of its culinary credentials. Michelin-starred Martín Berasategui brings an inventive Basque tasting menu and we sampled an extensive array of it. For those seeking an oasis of calm amid Dubai's ceaseless energy, The Lana offers a rare combination: modern luxury with memories you will cherish - like a bath framed by the glittering skyline - that linger in memory long after checkout.
